EDUCATION
grew up in Yakima,
Washington. He attended Gonzaga University earning a degree in English
Literature. He and his college sweetheart, Cathy, married just before
he began medical school at the University of Washington. He joined the
US Air Force where he did his internship and served as a Flight Surgeon
in England for four years. He returned to the University of Washington
for his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He returned to the Air
Force for four more years and was stationed in Washington, DC. In 1979,
he joined his residency colleague, Dr. Pheifer, in practice here at Evergreen
Healthcare. He was board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1977
and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
PRACTICE
Having been trained in laparoscopy at its beginning
here in the Northwest, he has continued to follow its evolution from simple
diagnostic procedures and tubal ligation to more complex procedures of
removing ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies and treating endometriosis
to current methods of minimally invasive surgeries, such as, laparoscopic
supracervical and total hysterectomy, bladder support and pelvic support
procedures.
He began hysteroscopy in the early 80’s learning techniques to remove polyps and fibroids inside the uterus, called operative hysteroscopy. These less invasive procedures have prevented the need for hysterectomy dramatically in the past decade. Endometrial ablation is another technique to diminish the excessive flow of menstruation. It now can even be done in an office setting using the second-generation methods that are just now available.
One of the newest methods of treating incontinence, the TVT, is just emerging as a revolutionizing procedure. It is performed on an outpatient setting in the surgery center. Historically, this surgery has been vary involved and would require a significant period of recovery. Now it is done as day surgery and is much less disruptive to ones life, yet is very successful in the majority of cases in solving a major limiting problem for women. Still there are times when the incontinence problem is part of a larger issue of pelvic support. In these situations, the woman is experiencing multiple "hernias" and requires several reparative procedures. Yet, the TVT, when indicated, reduces one phase of that complex repair with a very high probability of lasting success.
He stopped his obstetrics three years ago to assist in the level II and Level III nursery development. He continues to be excited by the increasing choices women have in managing their health. He sees a return of fundamental values around our own accountability to maintain our health through the age-old practices of sound nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, healthy relationships, adequate rest and good life style choices. He values a continuous, educational approach to life. < top